Flu season is just around the corner.
That’s why Missouri health officials are urging people to get vaccinated against the virus right away.
Health care experts said there are three dangerous strains of the flu lurking around this season.
State health officials said the year’s first confirmed case of seasonal flu was found in Southeastern Missouri’s Madison County. That shows it’s not too early to get a flu shot or inhale the flu mist vaccine. Flu symptoms include fever, body aches, headache, cough, and sore throat. The flu can lead to a bacterial infection, such as an ear infection or pneumonia. In severe cases, the flu can cause death. Boone County health officials are already offering flu shots at their Columbia clinic.
Boone County Health Department spokeswoman Geni Alexander said, “It does take two weeks for the flu vaccine to fully protect a person from the flu. We have seen cases as early as October. Being vaccinated now, means that you will be protected in October. That protection will continue throughout flu season.”
The flu is a virus that changes from season to season. Last year’s vaccination won’t protect you this year.
According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, more than 1,300 Missourians died from the flu and or pneumonia in 2009. Health officials said getting a flu vaccine every year is your best protection against the virus.
Nurse Gina Murdock gives flu shots at Columbia’s D&H Drugstore. Murdock said it’s important to get your flu vaccination as soon as possible.
Murdock said, “The last two or three years the CDC has recommended that we get it out earlier because flu season is hitting a lot earlier. By the end of October last year, there were already quite a few cases of the flu in Missouri.”
Besides flu shots, health officials urge people to wash their hands often, cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing and stay home when they’re sick.
Health officials are also urging people to get a vaccine for pertussis, also known as whooping cough.
There have been five confirmed and seven suspected cases of whooping cough in Cole County so far this year.
Boone County officials have already confirmed ten cases.
Other Mid-Missouri counties are also seeing an increase in the preventable disease.
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